Maritime Aquarium offers "Sensory Friendly Morning" on April 3 for guests with special needs

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk will open early on Sun., April 3 for a special morning that gives guests with sensory-processing differences a fun, comfortable and accepting environment.

During this "Sensory-Friendly Morning," from 8 to 10 a.m., lights in the Aquarium will be lower, and music and other sounds will be turned down or off. Plus, admission will be discounted, special activities will be offered, and the Aquarium will show movies in the new 4D Theater without the additional effects.

Tom Naiman, Vice President for Education, said the Aquarium offers “Sensory-Friendly” events to be supportive of children and adults with special needs.

“We’re excited to offer this special morning to celebrate April as World Autism Awareness Month, as we work to ensure that the Aquarium is a welcoming place where every guest can have a transformative experience,” Naiman said. “Offering ‘these Sensory Friendly’ events – plus our leadership in the ‘Accessibility for All’ initiative, which facilitates visits to many of the top attractions in Fairfield County – are two of the many ways that The Maritime Aquarium is acting on our priority of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion.”

Naiman said the advantages in offering a “Sensory Friendly Morning” prior to the Aquarium’s 10 a.m. public opening are two-fold: Aquarium staff can focus on the guests with special needs, and guests averse to crowds won’t encounter them.

 

All Aquarium galleries and exhibits will be open. In addition, a special seal-training demonstration will be held at 9 a.m. in “Pinniped Cove,” followed by an animal encounter at 9:30 a.m. on the Sea Star Stage. And an Aquarium educator will be on hand throughout the morning to guide explorations in the new “Sea & Discover Zone,” a STEM-focused center for preschool-age children and their parents or caregivers.

In the 4D theater, guests can enjoy the films wearing 3D glasses but with sounds lower and theater lights brighter, and without any of the sensory effects. (Guests aren’t required to wear the 3D glasses but, without them, images onscreen will appear blurry.) Pick from “Happy Feet 4D Experience” at 8:45 and 9:45 a.m., or BBC Earth’s “Shark: A 4D Experience” at 9:15 a.m. Both films are 13 minutes long.

The Aquarium’s SoundBites coffee shop will be open, offering sweets from a local bakery (including gluten-free options) and the full line of Starbucks’ hot and cold drinks.

Discounted admission for the April 3 “Sensory-Friendly Morning” is $19 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), and $14 for children (3-12). Tickets for a 4D movie, which are optional, are $7.

Guests are strongly encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance online for timed-ticket entry at 8, 8:30 or 9 a.m. Go to www.maritimeaquarium.org and click on “Visit,” and then “Aquarium Happenings.”

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Submitted by Redding, CT

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